Never a Dull Moment: January 2015

Monday, January 26, 2015

Hailey's Day at Disney

Since Monday was really about Tyler and his Cars Land, Wednesday was pretty much all about Hailey and celebrating her birthday early. We started the day back in the Magic Kingdom. Tyler and I went on Space Mountain, while Hailey and Scott were off to It's a Small World...(yes Scott was quite an amazing dad this trip, haha!) After that as a family we hit Peter Pan, Teacups, Snow White, etc. Then came Hailey's first surprise. We had arranged for her to get pampered at the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique. She LOVED her fairy godmother in training, and was all about the glitz and glam. She looked so darn cute when she was done! After a few more rides, we headed back to California Adventure. Hailey went on the Ariel ride non-stop, which was perfect because that night we had her next surprise, dinner at Ariel's Grotto. She was so excited! Not only did she get to meet Ariel, she was able to meet Cinderella, Mulan, Sleeping Beauty and Tiana! The food was really good too, so we all had fun. =) After dinner we made our way back to Magic Kingdom for Fantasmic. Needless to say, Hailey missed that, as all the excitement of the day wiped her out! Happy Early Birthday Hailey V!

She was so eager to get in, she wouldn't look at the camera. Turkey!

picking out her tiara

loved getting her hair done

our girlie girl getting make up!

All Hail Princess Hailey!

Ty had fun too---here's a pic by his favorite ride of the trip!

My two favorite boys

Meeting Ariel....she was telling her she is almost 3

Mulan was so fun! Hailey and her had some good laughs

We sang Happy Birthday to the Princess...she was so happy to get a cupcake too!

San Diego Zoo

On Tuesday we headed down to the San Diego Zoo. We thought it would be great for the kids to have some run around time and check out some animals. The weather was gorgeous, and the kids loved getting up close with the animals! We saw all of them either by foot or on the bus tour! Hailey loved the pandas, and enjoyed seeing everything on her level. Tyler was a sponge, and soaked in every ounce of information about each animal. He really was observant in regards to weather the animal was endangered, threatened, or stable. It was really neat because they do have a lot of endangered species, and to be able to see one and hear of their efforts to help the population was amazing. If you are ever in San Diego, you definitely need to check this place out!

Sunday, January 25, 2015

Disney California Adventure Park on Ty's 5 1/2!!!

Be prepared, this is a long one with pics! Monday we headed back to Disney, but to the California Adventure Park. Tyler had been asking forever to go to Cars Land(hence this trip) so what better way to celebrate his 1/2 birthday by going there! The day started off amazing...we were one of the two guests of the day and got the front parking spot! It was like winning the lottery! Immediately entering the park, Scott and I split up. I headed with Hailey to get our Frozen Fun fast passes to meet Elsa, Anna and another fast pass for the Frozen Sing Along that afternoon. Hailey was so excited to meet her favorite princess. It was magical. Scott and Ty headed to Cars land to ride Radiator Springs Racers...I wish I could've seen Ty's face, because I know as soon as us girls were done and headed there I was BLOWN away. It seriously looks like you stepped into radiator springs! It was so true to the movie, complete with the cars driving around for photos(just wait until I post the ones from at night with the neon signs!). We headed over to paradise pier for more rides(just ask Scott how many times he rode Ariel with Hailey, haha). Then while Scott and Hailey were at Frozen, Ty and I watched the parade. According to him, all the characters waved to him, and he even got to play catch with a bugs life bug! After that, we surprised Tyler with a character dinner at Goofy's kitchen. He was so excited when they brought him a 1/2 birthday cupcake! Scott had gotten one more fast pass for radiator springs racers that night, so he and Ty headed back while Hailey and I hit some stores. This was one of my favorite days of the trip----the kids faces were priceless. They were beaming, which of course made both Scott and I smile. We are so blessed.

Love this parking spot! How lucky?!?!

She was so excited, and telling them stories of course!

MAGICAL!!!

Tow Mater and Ty

Paradise Pier

LOVE them---they wanted to sit together. Makes my heart melt!

In front of Boo's Door

Radiator Springs

And future home of Tyler and Hailey

Goofy and Ty

I think Scott was having the most fun in this pic......

He was so proud of all his new buttons....and his cupcake!

Legoland

After a long day at Disney, we decided to head down to Legoland on Sunday. Both kids love the one here, but it doesn't even compare to the one there! Totally kid friendly park, complete with lego play areas in the line mazes, so parents can wait in line while watching their child play with legos(not that any lines were that long, like 20 minutes tops!). We got there right when the park opened, and stayed until close! There was something for everyone, and a few times Scott and I split up so each kid could enjoy whatever they chose. We had so much fun!

Hailey and her Lego Friends

Ty loved this roller coaster....it was super fun!

Our Vegas Girlie!

Shark!

Ty went to Lego driving school, and even got his license!

And this is why Hailey won't drive for a long time....

California!!!

We couldn't wait to get out of the cold and on our family vacation in California! We headed to Disneyland as soon as we landed. It was great to be in shorts and sunglasses! The kids were amazing on the flight, which is always a fantastic way to start the trip. Disney was very crowded, but we managed to go on a few rides and stay awake for the fireworks and parade. The kids are so funny though, as soon as the fireworks were over, they went right to sleep in the stroller. We headed back to the hotel and went straight to bed!

The airport pros---Tyler is hilarious. He of course asked Scott if we would be sitting in the united club before the flight. Seriously kid?!?!?

So excited!!!!

Waiting in the LONG line for Peter Pan

Don't get me started on this....It's A Small World decked out for the holidays! It was very cute, but man did I need a BIG drink after this!

Fast asleep! Day one=success!!!

Wednesday, January 7, 2015

2015!

Wow, where did the year go?!?! So much happened for us in 2014---a family trip to Denver, we moved to a new house, an adults only trip with friends to Vegas, Ty started Kindergarten, Hailey found her groove with dance and gymnastics, Scott and I celebrated our 10 YEAR anniversary in Palm Springs, and that is just naming a few! Phew! Even with all the amazing things that happened for us, I was more than ready to get into 2015. The last week of December was a doozy---Ty was so sick. You think the kid is skinny, you should've seen him when he hadn't eaten in days. We were calling him Mr. Burns! Hailey was still fighting whatever she had, and just spent a good chunk of time in pajamas watching movies. Lucky for us, 2015 started off with a bang. We headed to Papa's house New Year's Day to celebrate a late Christmas with him. The kids were FINALLY better! He had made Hailey the most amazing doll house, and she was so excited to open it. Both kids enjoyed opening their presents from the Reichel side, and as usual were beyond spoiled. Thanks to everyone! Scott was able to get us 4th row Bulls tickets for that night. It was great heading into the city with NO traffic! It was Hailey's first Bulls game, and she loved it! And they won! Score! Then we headed up north to get out of the house. There just happened to be more presents for the kids there! Ridiculous! =) It was gorgeous outside, so the kids took full advantage. Tyler spent most of the day on his snowmobile, while Hailey was loving sledding and watching the bald eagles in the yard. It was so nice to see the kids back to themselves, and the fresh air and change of scenery was great. It also gave Scott and I a chance to talk and unwind. I say it all the time---I love my life. I love my two wonderful kids, and I am so thankful for the amazing man who I am going through this journey with. I know that even though the kids are getting older, boo, haha, each year brings so many new joys and memories. I can't wait to see what is in store for 2015!!!